TEAM AND ALL LEVELS

NOTTINGHAMRUNNINGFESTIVAL

A great day out at historic Nottingham Racecourse. Run around the racetrack then out along the wide trail paths of Colwick Country Park and around its famous lakes. Choose from 5K, 10K or half and enter as an individual or as a team of six. £120 for team of six, 6 August 2023, Nottingham Racecourse runthrough.co.uk

ENDURE24LEEDS

Epic and relentless, this is the UK’s biggest 24-hour relay race. You must tackle as many laps of the 8K trail course as you can, with ultradistance bring the maximum. Known for its supportive and exciting atmosphere, you can run on your own, in pairs or as a relay team. As tough as you want to make it, so suitable for all abilities. £115, 24 and 25 June 2023, Wetherby, Yorkshire, timeoutdoors.com

FUN RUNS and BEGINNER

GOSPORT5kSUMMERSERIES

A series of evening races with a fast out-and-back route along the promenade. An ideal way for beginners to measure their progress through the summer by trying to beat their PB each time. Includes a 1K children’s chip-timed sprint. £12 for 5K, from May to August 2023, Stokes Bay Road, Gosport, nice-work.org.uk

NORWICHINFLATABLE5k

Four distances to choose from in Norwich – 2.5K, 5K, 10K or 15K – so even novice runners can take part. Enjoy the pumping music which will motivate you around the course and negotiate huge inflatable obstacles, including a giant bouncy slide on the way. From £34.90, 23 Sept 2023, Norfolk Showground, Norwich, ukrunningevents.co.uk

PORTSMOUTHPRETTYMUDDY5k

A flat route around Southsea Common, taking in views of the famous Ladies Mile, an avenue of trees planted in the 19th century. This is part of the Cancer Research UK series of Race for Life races so dress in pink if you can. £22.49, 1 July 2023, Southsea Common, Portsmouth, raceforlife.cancerresearch.org

TEHIDYGECKOGATHERING

Organiser Purple Gecko prides itself on inclusivity and offering events that suit everybody. Whatever your experience of trail running, you’ll love this event which wends through Tehidy woods where you can choose from a 2.5K, 5K or 10K. Children can also enter if accompanied by an adult. £15 for 5K, 4 to 17 June 2023, Cornwall, purplegeckoevents.co.uk

INTERnational

REYKJAVIKMARATHON

The Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon is the biggest running event in Iceland and will take place for the 38th time this August. Known for its buzzing and fun atmosphere, it is a popular summer race because the weather tends to be reliably cool and comfortable to run in. Fun run, 10K and half also available. Coincides with Culture Night, a national event that brings many of Iceland’s population to the capital Reykjavik. Entry approx. £76, 19 August 2023, Reykjavik, Iceland, rmi.is/en

SONGKHLARACE2023

A race around the Gulf of Thailand and Songkhla Lake. Set your new personal best in the marathon, half and 10K or simply have fun in an exotic location on the 5K race. Songhkla is a fishing town in Southern Thailand near the border with Malaysia. The tropical monsoon climate means it’s likely to be hot running conditions. Around £30 for marathon race entry, 26 to 27 August 2023, Songkhla, Thailand, worldsmarathons.com

QUESTARSADVENTURERACE

Something fun and a bit different now, this is a series of adrenaline-boosting events that involves trail running, as well as mountain biking and kayaking if you want to add these in. You receive a map marked with checkpoints and must visit as many as you can within the time limit. There are separate checkpoints for each of the disciplines. Kayaks provided and bike hire available. Races around the UK, including South Coast Questars, £60 per person with 10% discount for WR readers. Use code ‘womensrunning’ on the Questar website, 10 June 2023, questars.co.uk

COMRADESULTRASOUTHAFRICA

This is the largest and oldest ultra in the world and runners come from all around the world to take part. This 90K race started in 1921 and alternates in direction each year between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. This year, it’s heading out from the former. Packages from £569 per person, 8 June to 10 June 2023, sportstoursinternational.co.uk

INTERMEDIATE

CLACTONHALF

The ninth year of this popular seaside race along both the top and bottom promenades. Enjoy the summer atmosphere as holidaymakers and day trippers cheer you on to the seafront finish. A two-lap route for the half but there’s also a one-lap 10K too. £26 for half, 20 August 2023, Clacton seafront, Essex, nice-work.org.uk

LAMBTON CASTLE TRAILRUNS

A five or 10-mile run through the outstanding private grounds of the Lambton Estate, in County Durham. Mixed, moderately hilly terrain with some rough trails, firm paths and cross-country type fields. The estate is owned by the Earl of Durham and usually closed to the public. £25 for 5 mile, 20 Aug 2023, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, wilddeerevents.co.uk

EXPERIENCED

RACEONTHECHASE

A trail marathon that heads out and back from Salisbury Racecourse in undulating downland following

EUROPE’STOUGHEST MUDDER

© TOUGHMUDDER.CO.UK

Organisers of this Tough Mudder event say they have cranked things up a notch this year to challenge runners like never before. This race is an extreme 12-hour experience as you negotiate a series of obstacle and mud runs. From £144, 24 and 25 June 2023, Belvoir Castle, Lincolnshire, toughmudder.co.uk ancient tracks as well as woodland paths. 10K and half also available. £40 for marathon, 8 October 2023, Salisbury Racecourse, tctr.co.uk

NORTHDOWNSWAY100

A 100-mile continuous trail run along the North Downs Way, this is a tough one! The race starts at Farnham at the Western end, then works its way through scenic countryside. There’s a steep climb up to the top of Box Hill then it continues towards Ashford and the finish at the Julie Rose Stadium. £215, 6 August 2023, Farnham, Surrey, centurionrunning.com